Her Galahad

“Pretty eloquent for my dad.” He touched her arm. “Tell me what he said to you. I’m sure it went beyond that.”

She gently pulled away. “It doesn’t matter. He was right to blame me.” She couldn’t tell him the vile names his father had called her, the accusations he’d thrown. He’d only used words against her. Jirrah could claim far worse from her family.

She looked up, her eyes dark. “A week after they said you died, Cameron bought out Earldon Associates. I didn’t even know they were in trouble. Cameron asked me to marry him. It was sick. He didn’t care that I loved you. He said he’d change it—that we belonged together, and he’d prove it.” She dragged in a breath. “Dad and Duncan begged me, over and over. They said when they needed help, Cameron saved them—and all he wanted in return was to belong to our family in every way. They reminded me of all they’d done to make my childhood happy, especially since my mother died. They kept nagging and nagging that he truly loved me, as no other man had or would—that I’d be happy ever after as his wife.” She choked on an almost hysterical laugh. “Happiness and Cameron is a dichotomy. He doesn’t know how to be happy—he only knows how to want more and more. I don’t think anyone but me can know what he’s like, the warped nature he hides beneath that strange hypnotic charm of his. They didn’t know then—they still don’t now. They honestly thought it was best for me, but they made me commit bigamy.” She heard herself laugh again, strange and wondering. “That’s what’s so weird about it. I could be the one to do time in prison for what they did to me.”

“Since Beller and Duncan’s testimonials in my court case two months later prove they knew I was alive, I doubt any charge laid against you would stick. But their charges’ll sure as hell stick—aiding and abetting a felony, unlawful imprisonment of another and there’s worse. Much worse.”